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Paul Newman 1925-2008

Paul Newman's craft was acting. His passion was racing. His love was his family and friends. And his heart and soul were dedicated to helping make the world a better place for all.

"Paul had an abiding belief in the role that luck plays in one's life, and its randomness. He was quick to acknowledge the good fortune he had in his own life, beginning with being born in America, and was acutely aware of how unlucky so many others were. True to his character, he quietly devoted himself to helping offset this imbalance.

"An exceptional example is the legacy of Newman's Own. What started as something of a joke in the basement of his home, turned into a highly-respected, multi-million dollar a year food company. And true to form, he shared this good fortune by donating all the profits and royalties he earned to thousands of charities around the world, a total which now exceeds $250 million. ...

Of course, to us, he's Clea Newman's dad. Our condolences to the family. He lived an amazing life, and we were lucky to have him in the horse world.

If you are allergic to a thing, it is best not to put that thing in your mouth, particularly if the thing is cats. - Lemony Snicket

Always one of my favorite actors. A beautiful man, both in the physical sense (I agree, those eyes!), and because of all he did for others, and a talented actor as well. I think I need to go rent The Sting today - DH has never seen it.

I have a great Paul Newman story!

I grew up riding a few minutes from Gladstone in the 70's-80's. Every year, we used to go and watch USET finals with my trainer. Of course, Clea was a staple in the Eq ring. Beautiful rider. Typically, both her mom and dad would watch. They would stand on opposite sides of the ring. Her mom always had a big sun bonnet. You could pick her out because of the big sunglasses and hat.

Well, my mom has very poor vision and would walk closer to the ring to watch while most of us would sit on bleachers behind her. Sure enough, one year she plops herself right next to Paul Newman. She turned around at one point to check on me and we all were waving to get her attention.
And it went something like this...
"WHAT? WHY ARE YOU WAVING? WHO ARE YOU POINTING AT? PAUL WHO? PAUL NEWMAN? NO. HE ISN'T PAUL NEWMAN. HE IS TOO SHORT TO BE PAUL NEWMAN. ARE YOU PAUL NEWMAN?"
"Yes."
"Oh, well nice to meet you!"

I met Paul at a horseshow years ago...he was with Joanne, Jill Ireland and Charles Bronson. What a nice group of people! And yes you could see Paul's eyes from a mile away..and yes Charles Bronson was very short..all were defenately not your typical Hollyweirds. Sad that he died..very gifted actor and human being. [edit]

what a sad loss for all. I live about 10 minutes down the road from his Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. What an amazing place that is. Quite the sanctuary for those kids!

While the news of Paul's death is just comming out now, i believe his death actually occured a week or two ago. It was kept a secret from the press and everything. The rumour has been rolling around our town for over a week now. I dont know if its true or not-but it certaintly may well have been.

He lived a wonderful life and had so much to be proud of. Amazing Actor, father, and husband he was. I dont think ive ever seen anyone as generous as he.

All my thoughts and prayers to the Ms. Woodward and their children (Nell and Clea?). I met Clea once at fund raiser for Pegasus Therapeutic Riding and she was very nice. I saw her with her father shopping during the fund raiser which was at Anthropologie in Westport. Yes, he was unmistakeable. Very blue eyes and not too tall. He has done many most excellent things for this world.

Man what a bummer to lose a beacon of goodness like Paul Newman. Nope no great stories to tell, never met the man, but followed his on screen and off screen life and thought how great it would be if all could be so generous and kind as he was.

The world has lost a true icon - actor, philanthropist, family man, and horseman

My mom still talks about the year she was in the (long) coffee line at Harrisburg right in front of Paul Newman, and they chatted away the whole time. She was amazed at how down-to-earth and friendly he was, and most of their conversation was about daughters, equitation, and why it was taking so long to get a cup of coffee...but most of all she was transfixed by his beautiful blue eyes.

My sincere condolences to his family and friends on the loss of this remarkable man.

Paul was my first crush... only now can I see why my Mom thought I had a strange Lolita complex since I was about 12 or 13 at the time.
He led a life of such integrity and honor, used his celebrity to help the disadvantaged and remained loyal to his wife and family. What an icon, my condolences to his family, they have to feel proud of the legacy that he left behind.

Godspeed, Mr. Newman. We've lost one of the truly great human beings. He took a talent, made a fortune and gave it away to so many. He was a real man--married to the same woman, devoted father, philanthropist. One of those guys you wish you could meet--but they're one of a kind. We are a poorer world.

I've always admired him for his incredible talent, his immensely appealing looks but especially for his philanthropy. He didn't just talk the talk, he walked the walk. What a very generous and kind soul and I wish his family all the comfort in the world.